Electric switch.



c. I. KLEIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-26. I912.

Patented Jan. 2,1917. 6. 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

- C. J. KLEIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.2e.1912.

Patented Jan. 2,1917.

2 iHEETSSHEET 2- MEDIUM BOTH FORHIGH hurrah s ra rns rarnnr opinion.

CHARLES J. KLEIN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE CUTLER-HAMMER MFG. 00., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application filed August 26, 1912.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, (humans J. KLEIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to electric switches.

It has among its objects to provide an improved electric switch adapted to control a plurality of circuits or branches of a single circuit.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved switch of the feed through type, especially adapted to use in connection with electric heating devices, which comprises a plurality of switch mechanisms inclosed in a single receptacle and arranged tooperate individually or collectively to vary the heating effect of an electric heater.

Other objects and advantages of my improved invention will hereinafter appear.

In order to more fully and clearly disclose my invention, T have shown one embodiment of the same in the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a central longitudinal sec-' tional view of the switch and the receptacle therefor. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, the switch receptacle being removed. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the switch base. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the opposite side of the switch base from that shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6

tions. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the assembled switch and receptacle. Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the switch mechanism in position in its receptacle, the cap being re- .moved. Fig. 9 is a side elevation and a top plan view of one-half of the receptacle. Fig. 10 is a side elevation and a top plan view of the other half of the receptacle. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the insulating lining and a top plan view of the same. Fig. 12 is a sectional view on line 1212 of Fig.11.

The circuit controlling mechanism includes two switch mechanisms of the push button type described and claimed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 623,903,

Specification of Letters fatent.

is a diagram of the circuit connec- Patented Jan. 2, 11.117.

Serial No. 717,065.

the top of the same and the conductors leading to the device or devices to be controlled are brought out through the bottom of the casing.

As brought out in the above mentioned application, each switch mechanism includes a push button operating member 1, provided with double cams 2 and a rotatable contact member 3 which, upon movement of the push button, acts to compress a spring at, and at a predetermined time in the movement of the cams is actuated to change the circuit connections with a quick snap action. As illustrated in Fig. 1, these switch mech anisms are carried one above the other in an insulating base 5 of substantially rectangular crosssection which is provided with a deep recess 6 arranged to house the switch mechanisms and having openings in its sides for the push buttons. The contacts-7 for the switch mechanism are carried in the diagonally opposite corners of this recess and aresubstantially identical, although extending in opposite directions as shown. Between these contacts and the switch mechanisms is mounted a double stationary resilient contact 8 which is provided with oppositely extending curved resilient contact members and is secured to the bottom of the recess 6 by means of a screw 9. This double contact is so mounted with respect to the contact 7 that each of the movable contacts of the two switch mechanisms may engage opposite sides of the same with a wiping action and thus connect either or both of the two switches to this contact. The recess 6 is sealed by a suitable sheet 10 of insulation which fits snugly within the top of the recess and conforms tothe shape thereof, being held in position thereon by a conducting strip 11 hereinafter described.

The terminal connections for the switches are brought in at the upper end of the switch base. These conductors are connected to the binding posts 14 and 15 respectively upon opposite sides of the base. The binding post 14 is connected to a binding post 16 upon the lower end of the base by the conducting strip 11. As heretofore indicated, this conducting strip .not only serves the function of connecting the two binding posts, but at the same time holds the insulating sheet 10 in position over the recess 6, suitable ears 17 being struck up near its ends so that the sheet may be slipped into the same and held thereby. As illustrated, the conducting strip 11 is itself held in position by means of a screw 18, which is threaded into :1 lug 19 upon the lower end of the member 11 and. extends through to the opposite side of the base. The binding post 15 is connected to the center or double contact 8 by a conducting strip 20, which is provided with an angularly extending portion 21 connected to the screw 9. The upper resilient contact 7 is connected through a screw 22 to a -conducting strip 23 carried upon the upper end of the base parallel with the conducting strip 20 and provided with a binding screw 24. The lower resilient contact 7 is connected through a screw 25 to a conducting strip 26, which is provided with a binding screw 27 upon the lower edge of the base. If desired, the strips 20, 23 and 26 may be additionally secured to the base by other means than the conducting screws. For instance, they may be riveted or otherwise suitably attached as at 28. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the ends of the several conducting strips are preferably bent inward and rest upon the chamfered or beveled ends of the base, suitable recesses 29 being provided in the ends of the same to receive the ends of the binding post screws.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated a diagram of the circuit connections for the switch when adapted to control a plurality of heating coils 30 and 31, of which the heatingcoil 31 has the greater resistance. These coils are arranged to be connected in circuit, either singly or in parallel. A conductor 32 is attached to the binding post 16 and tapped in between the coils 30 and 31, as shown in Fig. (5, while conductors 33 and 34 are connected to the opposite ends of the coils and to the binding posts 24 and 27 respectively. As heretofore indicated, the incoming leads 12,and 13 are connected respectively to the binding posts 14 and 15. Assuming that the current enters through the conductor ,12 and that the upper movable contact 3 isin circuit-closing position bridging the contacts 7 and 8, current will then flow through the conductors 12, the binding post 16 to conductor 32, the low resistance coil 30, the conductor 33, the binding post 24, the resilient contact the movable contact 3, the center 'sistance of 400 ohms.

contact 8, the screw 9 to the binding post 15 and the opposite side of the line. Thus we have the coil of low resistance connected in circuit. For instance, let us assume that this coil has aresistance of 200 ohms and that this is sufficient to give the lowest heat required. Now assuming that it is desired to obtain a higher heat, say, for instance, a medium heat. As an example we will accordingly assume that the coil 31 has a reto open the upper switch by pushing the push button 1 in the opposite direction. I We will then push the lower push button to close the lower switch. cuit as follows: from the conductor 12 through the binding posts 14 and 16, the conductor 32, the coil 31, the conductor 34, the binding post 27, the lower resilient contact 7, the lower movable contact'3, the center contact 8, the screw 9 to the binding post 15 and the opposite side of the line. Thus we will have a resistance of 400 ohms, in circuit and obtain what we may call a medium' heat. Now supposing that it is desired to obtain a still higher heat. All that is necessary is to again push in the upper push button 1 so that the circuit of this switch is closed. flow from the conductor 12, through the binding posts 14 and 16 and the conductor 32 to the center tap between the heating coils where it will divide, one-half of it flowing through the coil 30, the upper movable contact 31 and out to the center contact 8, while the other part will flow through. the coil 31, the lower movable-contact 3 to the center contact 8 and the opposite side Our first step will be This will complete a cir- Then the current will of the line. Ve will then have both of the cated, a conducting path is provided for one of the conductors so that it in effect passes directly through the switch casing, the switch mechanism being connected in the other lead. This receptacle is formed in four parts, including two members 35 and 36 of semi-cylindrical cross section illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, which when united form a cylindrical casing for the switch base. These members are provided with openings 37 in their sides through which the push buttons may pass and one of the same is provided with inturned ends 38.

adapted to receive the ends 39 of the other member and lock the latter against rotation. In order to insulate the switch mechanism from the members and 36, the base 5 is inclosed in a cylindrical insulating lining 40 having openings 41 through which the push buttons extend. This lining is preferably slitted on one side as shown at 42, in order to permit the same to be readily sprung over the base and the push buttons thereon. port the switch base 5 within the casing, the former is provided at its ends with laterally extending shoulders or projections 43. These projections or shoulders are received in openings 44 and 45 in the ends of the lining and casing members respec-'- tively. In order to provide a' substantial support for the extensions 43, the metal of the members 35 and 36 is preferably bent inward as at 46. In order to connect these two members and hold the sametogether, as well as to house and protect the connections therefor, caps 48 are slipped over the ends of the same. These caps are preferably provided with annular shoulders 49 which are adapted to receive catches 50 upon the ends of the members 35 and 36 so that when the caps are forced down over the ends of these members, they will automatically snap into locking engagement with the same and be held thereby. These caps are preferably provided with an insulating lining 51, and the conductors leading from the same are insulated therefrom by an insulating bushing 52 which has a lip or flange 53 on its 'inner end serving tohold the insulating lining 51 in position.

When itis desired to assemblethe switch in its casing, all that it is necessary to do is to slip the base 5 into the insulating lining 40 so that the push buttons extend through the apertures 37 in the same. The casing members are then placed in position over the push buttons and locked against rotation. by the engagement of the end 39 of one of the same with the locking means 38 upon the other member. The caps 48 may then be readily snapped over the ends of the casing in order to hold the parts securely together. Obviously, when it is desired to obtain access to the switch mechanism, all that it is necessary to do is to take off one or more of the caps by compressing the casing in a well known manner to release the catch 50 from the annular shoul der 49 on the cap.

My improved switch is of a simple and I unitary construction which may be very readily and cheaply manufactured. Further, the arrangement is such that it may be very readily connected in circuit when desired and when it is desired to obtain access to the switch mechanism the casing may be very readily removed. This casing is effectually insulated from the switch In order to supmechanism and presents avery neat and pleasing appearance, it not being necessary to mar the appearance of the same by providing slots for the push buttons. The switch mechanism itself is very compact. The arrangement of the terminal connections is such that they are readily accessible. Further, the conducting parts are effectually insulated from each other, and the terminal connections for the stationary contacts of the switch mechanism are spaced therefrom by solid walls of insulation.

While I have herein illustrated one embodiment of my invention in order to more clearly and fully disclose the same, it is obvious that the form herein shown may be modified without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims. I

WVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a multiple feed through switch unit, in combination, an insulating base having a recess in one face, a plurality of independently operable switch mechanisms carried in said recess for controlling various circuit connections to one side of the line, and conductive means carried by said base providing a common return conduit traversing said unit to the other side of the line.

2. A feed through switch comprising, in combination, an elongated insulating base, a plurality of snap switch mechanisms carried thereon in substantial alinement, stationary contacts for said switch mechanisms having one terminal common to all of the latter and separate terminals for each of the same, terminal connections for said contacts upon one face of said base and aseparate contion and terminal connections for said con- It)acts and said strip adjacent the ends of said ase.

4. In combination, an insulating base having a recess in one side thereof, a plurality of push button operated switch mechanisms carried in said recess and having their operating members extending through the walls of said base, a contact member adapted .to be engagedby both of said switch 'mechanisms and positioned between the same, additional contacts carried by said base, each ofsaid last mentioned contacts being adapted to be engaged by one of said switch mechanisms, terminal connections for said contacts upon the ends of said base, means for closing the recess in said base, and a conducting strip carrying said means and having terminal connections on its opposite ends.

5. In a feed through switch, in combination, an insulating base, a switch mechanism carried thereby, terminal connections for said switch mechanism carried on one face thereof, a conducting strip independent of said switch mechanism and carried by said base across the other face thereof, and'conductor attaching means carried by the ends of said strip.

(3. In a feed-through switch, in combination, a base having an open recess on one face, a switch mechanism carried by said CHARLES J. KLEIN.

lVitnesses:

FRANK H. HUBBARD, J L. JOHNSON. 

